GraceKennedy dominated trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday, with nearly 12 million shares for $899 million and pushing the volume of stocks traded by 216 percent and the value 948 percent more than in market activity on Friday, from trading in 59 securities, similar to Friday and ended with prices of 20 stocks rising, 19 declining and 20 ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 29,601,305 shares for a massive $1,004,348,955, up sharply from just 9,369,749 stock units at $95,805,466 on Friday.
Trading averaged 501,717 shares at $17,022,864 compared with 158,809 units at $1,623,821 on Friday and month to date, an average of 257,735 units at $2,378,727, in comparison to 244,090 stock units at $1,559,766 previously traded and December that closed with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
GraceKennedy led trading with 11.67 million shares for 39.4 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.65 million units for 15.7 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway chipped in with 4.23 million units for 14.3 percent market share, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.17 million units for 7.3 percent market share and JMMB 9.5% preference share with 2.0 million units for 6.8 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,972.11 points to finish at 363,230.03, the JSE Main Index rallied 2,680.97 points to wrap up trading at 325,955.81 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.74 points to lock up trading at 70.13.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.5. The JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement declined 55 cents to finish at $52.45 in switching owners of 20,473 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced 49 cents and ended at $38 after an exchange of 94 units, First Rock Real Estate sank 30 cents to end at $8.50 with investors trading 88,140 shares. GraceKennedy dipped 75 cents in closing at $76.25, with 11,672,418 stock units crossing the exchange, Jamaica Broilers fell 50 cents to close at $32.50 after a transfer of 106,177 shares, Jamaica Producers popped $1.54 to $23.20 as investors exchanged 102 stock units. JMMB Group skidded 59 cents and ended at $24, with 29,676 units crossing the market, Pan Jamaica increased 30 cents to close at $50.30 while exchanging 12,316 stocks, Proven Investments lost $2.55 to end at $24.45 after trading 1,082 shares. 
Sagicor Group climbed $2.50 in closing at $45.50 in an exchange of 5,238 stock units, Scotia Group rose 85 cents to $41.35, with 42,245 stocks changing hands, Seprod dropped $1.55 in closing at $84 after an exchange of 5,038 units. Supreme Ventures gained $1 to end at $25.50 with investors dealing in 25,008 stocks and Wisynco Group rallied 95 cents and ended at $22 with a transfer of 46,911 shares.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% increased $4.50 to close at $49.50 with investors swapping 100 units, 138 Student Living preference share shed $1.12 to end at $220 after 55 stock units passed through the market, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share climbed $14 and ended at $104 after closing with an exchange of 840 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments C 10.5% dropped 50 cents to close at $106.50, with 39 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading surges to $1 billion on the JSE on Monday
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange maintained its bullish stance in evidence since last October, with another solid gain in trading on Monday and the JSE USD market continues to post fresh 2024 highs, with more gains but the Junior Market slipped for a second day as trading in the overall market jumped sharply higher than Friday following big trades in shares of GraceKennedy that pushed the volume and value of trading sharply higher over Friday as trading ended after prices of 32 shares rose and 31 declined.
At the close of market activity, the Jamaica Stock Exchange Combined Market Index climbed 2,303.01 points to finish the day at 338,407.78, the All Jamaican Composite Index popped 2,972.11 points to close at 363,230.03, the JSE Main Index gained 2,680.97 points to finish at 325,955.81. The Junior Market Index dropped 24.13 points to 3,735.24 and the JSE USD Market Index climbed 3.24 points to 250.69.
At the close of trading, 34,389,476 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 23,219,570 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $1.01 billion, up from $125.91 million on Friday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 519,135 shares for US$98,529 compared with 670,997 units at US$26,968 on Friday.
Main Market trading was dominated by GraceKennedy led trading with 11.67 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.65 million units, Transjamaican Highway with 4.23 million stock units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.17 million units and JMMB 9.5% preference share with 2.0 million units
In the Junior Market, One Great Studio led trading with 1.06 million shares followed by Dolla Financial with 548,477 units and Jetcon Corporation with 301,021 stock units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Jamaica Producers popped $1.54 to $23.20, Sagicor Group climbed $2.50 in closing at $45.50, Scotia Group rose 85 cents to $41.35 Supreme Ventures gained $1 to end at $25.50 and Wisynco Group rallied 95 cents and ended at $22.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Proven Investments lost $2.55 to end at $24.45 and Seprod dropped $1.55 in closing at $84.
On a day when there were no notable price gains on the Junior Market, the major losing stocks were Access Financial that fell $3.60 and ended at $20.36, Cargo Handlers skidding $2.87 to close at $12.03, ISP Finance losing $1.99 and ended at $20.30 and Main Event dipping $2 to end at $15.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% increased by $4.50 to close at $49.50, 138 Student Living preference share shed $1.12 to $220, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share climbed $14 and ended at $104.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.7 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.1 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Trading surges on T&T Stock Exchange
Trading surged on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Monday, with a 3,166 percent jump in the volume of stocks changing hands valued 1,190 percent more than on Friday, resulting in an exchange of only 11 securities compared with 19 on Friday, with prices of two stocks rising, six declining and three ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange 1,358,627 shares at $7,041,372 up from just 41,595 stock units at $545,819 on Friday.
An average of 123,512 shares were traded at $640,125 compared with 2,189 units at $28,727 on Friday, with trading month to date averaging 16,839 shares at $179,044 compared with 12,915 units at $162,075 on the previous trading day and December with an average of 17,065 shares at $239,371.
The Composite Index shed 0.47 points to close at 1,190.05, the All T&T Index declined 0.90 points to finish at 
1,786.46, the SME Index remained unchanged at 78.23 and the Cross-Listed Index remained unchanged at 77.24.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Endeavour Holdings rose 25 cents to A 52 weeks’ high of $14.75 as investors exchanged 204 units, First Citizens Group sank $1 and ended at $50 after a transfer of 3,709 stocks, Massy Holdings popped 4 cents to end at $4.44 with trading of 1,260,259 shares. National Enterprises dipped 14 cents to $3.75 while exchanging 30,072 stock units, National Flour Mills ended at $2 with investors trading 45,000 shares, 
One Caribbean Media lost 4 cents to close at $3.45, with 430 units crossing the exchange. Republic Financial remained at $120 with investors trading 5,207 stocks, Scotiabank remained at $69 in switching ownership of 4,655 stock units, Trinidad & Tobago NGL declined 30 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $10, with 7,936 shares crossing the market. Unilever Caribbean shed 2 cents to close at $11.93 with a transfer of 82 units and West Indian Tobacco fell 18 cents to $8.52 with investors swapping 1,073 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Positive moves for ICTOP10
At the end of the past week, the Main Market moved within less than one percent for the year’s highest close as the market is showing bullish signs. The junior Market closed the week higher than the close of the previous week but the market closed with the ICInsider.com TOP 10 stocks remaining unchanged.
Two stocks with a notable gain in the Junior Market TOP 10 are Caribbean Cream rising 11 percent to close at $3.79 and Express Catering rose 10 percent to $3.96. AMG Packaging skidded 18 percent to close at $2.60. In the Main Market, there were three stocks with outsize movements. 138 Student Living jumped 19 percent to $4.15 followed by a 13 percent rise respectively for General Accident to $5.35 and Margaritaville to $17.50.
For the full list of percentage changes for the week for the ICTOP10 stocks, check the attached charts that now show a column of the weekly price movements.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.2, well below the market average of 13.4 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7.2, just over half of the market, with an average of 13.4
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 294 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 181 percent over the same time frame.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 14 of the most highly valued stocks representing 29 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 32 and 22 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 25 for the top half and 18 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10 are 14 stocks, or 29 percent of the market, with PEs ranging from 15 to 48, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18, possibly the lowest fair value for stocks, currently.
Of great import is that the averages of both markets are now converging around a PE of 20 for close to a third of the market, as the year is coming to a close and with more information available on the full year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Volume jumps on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks exchanged rising 460 percent after 12 percent fewer US dollars changed hands than on Thursday, resulting from trading in six securities, compared to eight on Thursday with prices of two rising, one declining and three ending unchanged.
The market closed trading of 670,997 shares for US$26,968 up from 119,808 units at US$30,732 on Thursday.
Trading ended with an average of 111,833 units at US$4,495 compared with 14,976 shares at US$3,842 on Thursday. Trading month to date averages 40,528 shares at US$4,560 compared to 36,603 units at US$4,564 on the previous day and December that ended with an average of 28,010 units for US$1,403.
The US Denominated Equities Index gained 3.31 points to close at 247.45.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.6. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending and or around August ents c2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share gained 0.99 of one cent in closing at 5 US cents in switching ownership of 70,000 stocks, Proven Investments remained at 13.5 US cents with 2,044 stock units clearing the market, 
Sterling Investments ended trading at 1.5 US cents with an exchange of 13,714 shares and Transjamaican Highway popped 0.11 of a cent and ended at 1.99 US cents, with 584,238 stock units changing hands.
In the preference segment, Sygnus Credit Investments US 8% climbed 50 to end at a record high of US$10.50 after an exchange of a mere one share and Sygnus Credit Investments E 8.5% declined 21.2 cent to US$11.788 with investors transferring 1,000 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Bullishness descending on the JSE Main Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the market exhibiting some bullishness, with several stocks posting sizable gains, with prices of 25 stocks rising, 17 declining and 17 ending unchanged from trading in 59 securities compared with 51 on Thursday, but the volume of stocks changing hands declined 55 percent at a 6 percent greater value than the previous day.
The market closed with 9,369,749 shares trading valued at $95,805,466 compared with 20,842,200 units at $90,178,686 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 158,809 shares at $1,623,821 compared to 408,671 units at $1,768,210 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 244,090 units at $1,559,766 compared to 249,142 units at $1,555,971 on the previous day and December averaging 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.90 million shares for 30.9 percent of the day’s volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.44 million units for 26.1 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 514,757 units for 5.5 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 1,200.87 points to conclude trading at 360,257.92, the JSE Main Index rallied 1,549.21 points to finish at 323,274.84 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.15 points to 69.39.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.4. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden lost 99 cents and ended at $42 after a transfer of 15,602 units, Barita Investments increased 80 cents to $71.20 closed with an exchange of 1,437 stocks, Berger Paints climbed 46 cents to end at $6.01 with investors transferring just 485 shares. Caribbean Producers sank 40 cents in closing at $8.25 as 70,764 stock units passed through the market, Eppley rose $1 to close at $38.10 with investors trading 7,120 shares, First Rock Real Estate gained 31 cents to $8.80 after an exchange of 63,060 stock units. Jamaica Producers declined $1.15 to close at $21.66 in trading 13,320 units, Massy Holdings popped $2 to end at $90 with 292,850 stocks changing hands, NCB Financial fell 73 cents in closing at $67.27 with investors dealing in 34,226 shares. Pan Jamaica rallied $3.90 and ended at $50, with 17,066 stocks crossing the market, Proven Investments jumped $5.05 to $27 in switching ownership of 40,412 units, Sagicor Group popped $1 to close at $43 with investors swapping 16,955 stock units.
Scotia Group skidded 96 cents to end at $40.50 with a transfer of 8,633 shares, Seprod climbed $2.05 in closing at $85.55 while trading 2,922 stock units, Stanley Motta increased 55 cents and ended at $7, after hitting an intraday 52 weeks’ high of $8 and ended with 1,030 units crossing the exchange and Supreme Ventures dipped 50 cents to $24.50 with traders dealing in 228,609 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% share shed $1.90 to close at $17 while exchanging 8,250 shares, Eppley 7.75% dropped $4.95 to end at $18, with 1,000 stock units crossing the market. 138 Student Living preference share jumped $28.84 in closing at in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $221.12 with an exchange of a mere two units, Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % gained $125 and ended at $1,200 with 170 stocks clearing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% advanced $2 to $107 in an exchange of just two units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Pull back for Junior Market
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Friday, with the Junior Market Index declining 42.00 points to finish at 3,759.37, after a 501 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded at 364 percent greater value than for the previous day with trading in 45 securities compared with 38 on Thursday and ending with prices of 19 rising, 17 declining and nine closing unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 13,178,824 shares for $30,106,364 up from 2,193,612 units at $6,494,237 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 292,863 shares at $669,030, compared with 57,727 stock units at $170,901 on Thursday with the month to date, averaging 175,359 units at $406,235 compared to 168,337 stock units at $390,530 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Mailpac Group led trading with 4.76 million shares for 36.1 percent of total volume followed by Dolla Financial with 1.45 million units for 11 percent of the day’s trade, Stationery and Office Supplies with 1.36 million units for 10.3 percent market share, Regency Petroleum ended with 1.27 million units for 9.7 percent market share and One Great Studio closed the week with 1.14 million units for 8.7 percent of total volume.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.4, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging dipped 35 cents in closing at $2.60, with 126,303 stock units crossing the market, Blue Power fell 10 cents to $3.20 after trading of 62,490 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers advanced 19 cents to end at $2.24, with 524,434 units changing hands. Caribbean Cream rose 34 cents to close at $3.79 with investors swapping a mere 331 stocks, Consolidated Bakeries climbed 18 cents and ended at $2.18 in switching ownership of 50 units, Derrimon Trading popped 8 cents to $1.98 after an exchange of 48,820 stocks. Dolla Financial skidded 15 cents in closing at $2.50 with a transfer of 1,449,271 shares, Dolphin Cove lost 40 cents and ended at $18.60 with investors dealing in 785 stock units, EduFocal dropped 8 cents to end at $1.40 in an exchange of 578,590 shares. Express Catering gained 11 cents to close at $3.96, after 56,268 units crossed the market, Fontana sank 6 cents to $10.44 in an exchange of 164,684 stocks, Indies Pharma rallied 20 cents to close at $2.90 with traders dealing in 15,330 stock units. 
Iron Rock Insurance increased 32 cents and ended at $2.42 with 449 shares crossing the exchange, Jetcon Corporation popped 9 cents in closing at 91 cents with investors transferring 180 units, Lasco Financial shed 9 cents to end at $2, with 39,484 stocks clearing the market. Lasco Manufacturing declined 19 cents in closing at $4.75 while exchanging 10,206 stock units, Limners and Bards fell 10 cents to $1.20 and closed after an exchange of 22,140 shares, after hitting a 52 weeks’ low of $1.18, Mailpac Group advanced 25 cents to close at $2.28 with an exchange of 4,759,366 units. MFS Capital Partners rose 5 cents to end at $2.70 after 115,705 stocks passed through the market, Regency Petroleum dropped 23 cents and ended at $2.15 as investors exchanged 1,274,321 stock units, Spur Tree Spices rallied 13 cents to $2.58 in trading 111,801 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies increased 13 cents to close at $1.56 after a transfer of 1,359,144 stock units following a fall of the stock to a 52 weeks’ low of $1.41.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main & JSE USD Market, Juniors drop
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange gave back just under a half of the gains posted on Thursday but the Main and the JSE USD markets rallied to close out the day higher than the opening, with the volume of stocks traded rising moderately, with trading ending with the value rising over the previous trading day and the market closed with prices of 39 shares gaining and 33 declining.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,085.09 points to 336,104.77, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,200.87 points to 360,257.92, the JSE Main Index rose 1,549.21 points to 323,274.84. The Junior Market Index fell 42.00 points to 3,759.37 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 3.31 points to end at 247.45.
At the close of trading, 23,219,570 shares were exchanged in all three markets, moderately more than the 23,131,587 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $125.91 million, up from $96.67 million trading on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 670,997 shares for US$26,968 compared to 119,808 units at US$30,732 on Thursday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm with 2.90 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.44 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund ending with 514,757 units.
In the Junior Market, Mailpac Group led trading with 4.76 million shares followed by Dolla Financial with 1.45 million units, Stationery and Office Supplies ended with 1.36 million stocks, Regency Petroleum closed with 1.27 million shares and One Great Studio with 1.14 million units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Massy Holdings popped $2 to end at $90, Pan Jamaica rallying $3.90 to $50, Proven Investments advancing $5.05 to $27, Sagicor Group popping $1 to close at $43 as Seprod climbed $2.05 in closing at $85.55.
The major declining Main Market stocks include AS Bryden with a loss of 99 cents in ending at $42, Jamaica Producers declining $1.15 to close at $21.66, Scotia Group skidding 96 cents to end at $40.50.
Stocks ending with major gains in the Junior Market are, Caribbean Cream up 34 cents to close at $3.79, Iron Rock Insurance increasing 32 cents and ending at $2.42 and Mailpac Group advancing 25 cents to close at $2.28, the major losing stocks are AMG Packaging dipping 35 cents in closing at $2.60, Dolphin Cove losing 40 cents and ended at $18.60 and Regency Petroleum dropping 23 cents to $2.15.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share shed $1.90 to close at $17, Eppley 7.75% dropped $4.95 to end at $18, 138 Student Living preference share rose $28.84 in closing at $221.12, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% gained $125 and ended at $1200 clearing the market with 170 stocks and recently listed Sygnus Credit Investments c10.5% advanced $2 to $107.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 14 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The 
ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Big loss for the Trinidad Exchange
The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange dropped sharply on Friday, with a 94 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with an 84 percent lower value than on Thursday resulting in trading in 19 securities compared with 15 on Thursday, ending with prices of eight stocks rising, five declining and six remaining unchanged.
The market ended with an exchange of 41,595 shares for $545,819 compared to 689,194 stock units at $3,349,599 on Thursday.
An average of 2,189 shares were traded at $28,727 compared to 45,946 units at $223,307 on Thursday, with trading month to date averaging 12,915 shares at $162,075 down from 13,643 stock units at $171,125 on the previous day and an average for December of 17,065 shares at $239,371.
The Composite Index shed 18.80 points to cease trading at 1,190.52, the All T&T Index sank 19.20 points to conclude trading at 1,787.36, the SME Index remained unchanged at 78.23 and the Cross-Listed Index dropped 2.57 points to 77.24.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s ended at $68.50 in trading 25 units, Angostura Holdings climbed 9 cents and ended at $21.49 after 897 stocks crossed the market, Calypso Macro Investment Fund popped 64 cents to close at $23.15 in an exchange of 60 shares. First Citizens Group shed 50 cents to close at $51 with investors trading 885 stocks, FirstCaribbean International Bank ended at $7.05 after 100 shares were traded, GraceKennedy rallied 2 cents to $4.15 after a transfer of 200 units. Guardian Holdings rose 10 cents to close at $18.25 with investors swapping 243 stocks, Guardian Media advanced 5 cents and ended at $2.30 with a transfer of 100 stock units, JMMB Group remained at $1.40 with investors dealing in 333 shares. Massy Holdings ended at $4.40 after investors ended trading 5,391 units, National Enterprises dipped 1 cent to $3.89 after an exchange of 12,793 stocks, National Flour Mills popped 1 cent to end at $2, with 1,248 stock units crossing the market.
NCB Financial sank 34 cents to end at $3.01 with investors trading 1,460 shares, Republic Financial increased 99 cents and ended at $120, with 1,690 stock units clearing the market, Scotiabank skidded 85 cents to close at $69 as investors exchanged 491 units. Trinidad & Tobago NGL ended at $10.30 with an exchange of 2,176 stocks, Trinidad Cement popped 13 cents and ended at $3.28 while exchanging 110 shares, Unilever Caribbean ended at $11.95 with traders dealing in 6,010 stock units and West Indian Tobacco fell 5 cents in closing at $8.70, with 7,383 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Top 5 JSE dividend paying stocks now
Companies with earnings that are consistently growing are usually the best dividend paying stocks to invest in if income is a prime objective. They will have more room to make increased dividend payments in the future.
Investors looking for the best dividend paying stocks on the Jamaica Stock Exchange should take the above factors into consideration. It is also a good factor to consider when buying stocks that are likely to increase in value over time.
On the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the Main Market, Carreras is the king of dividend payment with a yield of 11 percent based on the latest stock price of $8 in 2023, followed by Transjamaican Highway and at 7 percent, Scotia Group at 5 percent based on the last dividend paid of 40 cents and annualised, at a then stock price of $34. What is interesting about Scotia is the traditional metric is for the company to pay between 40 to 50 percent of profits.
Scotia historically pays just above 40 percent of profit, but that seems to have been interrupted as a result of the negative impact that flowed from the Covid 9 economic dislocation. 
The company reported earnings of $5.54 and that would suggest an annual dividend of $2.20 which would translate to a dividend yield of 6.7 percent with 2024 likely to be higher.
The Junior Market has two stocks with attractive yields Dolphin Cove and MailPac at 7 percent each. The payout for MailPac represent a full years’ profit.
Yields may have dipped in some cases but that does not change the longer term prospects.
